WWE star Matt Riddle was planned to win Royal Rumble 2022 ahead of Brock Lesnar before change of mind by Vince McMahon

WWE star Matt Riddle was originally scheduled to be the shock winner of the Men's Royal Rumble Match last month.

That is according to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, who claims that Riddle was the wrestling giants' initial pick to stand tall in the annual 30-men over-the-top-rope battle royal.


Johnson reports that plans were changed “a ton of times” until WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon decided to go with eventual winner Brock Lesnar.

Other pitches for the winner included Riddle's partner Randy Orton as the Rumble took place in his hometown of St Louis, Missouri.

But Orton's team-mate was the frontrunner the entire time until the wrestling corporation made the final decision to crown Lesnar as the winner.

The former UFC Heavyweight Champion pulled off a double shift at the Royal Rumble as he also defended the WWE Championship.

The Beast lost the title to ex-Bellator star Bobby Lashley after interference from Universal Champion Roman Reigns and his advocate Paul Heyman's betrayal.

The Conqueror entered the main-event match at No30 and wrecked havoc as he made quick work of Riddle, Orton, Shane McMahon, Grammy-award-winning artist and guest participant Bad Bunny as well as runner-up Drew McIntyre.

LATEST IN SUN BINGO AND VEGAS

FREE BONUS

Join Sun Vegas now to get £10 free with no deposit required

WELCOME OFFER

Get a £50 bingo bonus plus 50 free spins when you sign up to Sun Bingo today

FAB FIVER

Get free £5 bonus with no deposit required when you sign up to Fabulous Bingo

Cabar-yay!

Get 13 hours of FREE BINGO every day with Sun Bingo in the Cabaret Room

Former UFC star Riddle made it to the final four and was the 27th wrestler to be thrown over the top rope.

That was a big night for ex-MMA stars as Ronda Rousey also made a shock return and won the Women's Royal Rumble Match.

Lesnar announced on RAW last Monday night that he will fight Reigns for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 38.

However, the nine-time world champion has also been added in the Men's Elimination Chamber Match for the WWE Championship on February 19 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The 44-year-old will battle Riddle, AJ Styles, Austin Theory, Seth Rollins and WWE Champion Lashley.

    Source: Read Full Article